Skip to content

Black bear ruins Alberta barber’s day

It’s not always a good idea to leave the door open
18229317_web1_190807-SNM-M-Black-Bear-2
Black bears are the focus of a CRD-sponsored walk at East Sooke Regional Park on Aug. 19. (File)

A northern Alberta barbershop owner is assessing the damage after an encounter with a wild customer.

Sam Assaf had left the front door open Wednesday to let fresh air into his Slave Lake, Alta., business — called the LionsDen Barbershop.

He was standing outside when he spotted the bear and started taking pictures, but suddenly remembered the door.

Assaf says the animal strolled in and proceeded to leave a big mess that included ruining his work station and defecating, although some expensive clippers were spared.

Police were called and told picture-taking bystanders to give the animal room to leave. No one was hurt.

Assaf, who had never seen a bear in real life before, says it was a bad day for him.

“It was the wildest thing. I’ve been in this business for 17 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Assaf.

“How ironic? A bear is hanging at the LionsDen.”

READ MORE: Search continues for possible drowning victim on Sylvan Lake

(CTV Edmonton)

The Canadian Press